When Hofner made the Club-series guitars and basses in the early ’60s they cantilevered the neck and fingerboard out over the front of the body in the style of arch-top acoustics. They also reduced timber wastage by making the laminated neck and head in one piece, the laminated heel block separately, and then gluing the heel block onto the end of the neck. Because the neck is set forward and mostly relies on the heel piece for connecting it to the body, this glue joint between neck and heel is in a critical position: it is about 80% of what holds the neck on and supports the total string tension. ...more

In Auckland, the live music scene has been suffering from the awful disease known as ‘complacency’. Not only does this affliction prevent punters from going out and attending gigs, it also affects performers themselves. Let’s look at the symptoms, cause and cure for this horrible sickness. ...more

Jimi Hendrix has influenced nearly every famous guitar player throughout the world, not just with this chord but with his innovative style and musical arrangements. The Hendrix chord – written E7#9 and spoken E7 sharp 9 – as shown in Example 1 is so named because Jimi Hendrix made it popular by using it in many of his songs. A good example is Purple Haze from the album ‘Are You Experienced’. ...more